Turpentine-gatherer.



L. T. BAKER. TURPENTINE GATHBRER. APPLICATION FILED 001. 5, 1910.

Patented June 13, 1911.

ml: NORRIS PETERS 5 WASHINGTON, 0. c.

LEWIS T. BAKER, 0F PENSACOLA, FLORIDA.

TURPENTINE-GATHEREB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1911.

Application filed October 5, 1910. Serial No. 585,458.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS T. BAKER, citizen of the United States, residing at Pensacola, in the county of Escambia and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Turpentine-Gatherers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention comprehends certain new and useful improvements in devices for gathering crude turpentine as it exudes from the tree, and the object of the invention is an improved device of this character which may be adjusted to fit trees of different sizes and which is secured to the tree in an effective manner so as to insure against its accidental displacement, the securing means also serving the additional function of retaining the device at the desired adjustment.

A further object of the invention is a turpentine gatherer comprising a pair of separate co-acting gutters that are associated in the form of a V and that are interlocked to constitute a hinge joint, the parts being adapted to be readily separated and nested in order to be capable of being stored or shipped in compact form.

A still further object of the invention is a turpentine gatherer which is reliable and efficient in operation, which possesses to a marked degree the characteristics of simplicity and durability, and which is susceptible of being easily and cheaply manufact-ured.

VVit-h these and other objects in view as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions and arrangements of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a tree equipped with my improved turpentine gatherer; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the parts of the device in juxtaposition; Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the gatherer; and Fig. l isa perspective view, showing the parts nested.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the same reference characters.

My improved turpentine gatherer consists essentially of a pair of separate co-acting gutters or troughs which are designated 1 and 2, respectively. The gutters are constructed of strips of galvanized iron or other suitable blank material, the strips being of substantially uniform width throughout their length and being bent so as to be of similar transverse contour. In the present instance, the gutters are curved transversely, but it is to be understood that they may be of any approved shape. The gutters converge downwardly in a substantially vertical plane and are joined together in approximately the form of a V. The gutter 1 is extended downwardly below the lower end of the gutter 2 for the purpose of receiving the drippings therefrom and constituting a spout 3 for delivering the turpentine collected by the device. It is to be noted that the lower end of the gutter 2 is spaced above the bottom of the gutter 1 and in no wise interferes with the flow of turpentine therein.

The joint between the gutters is an important feature of the present invention and is effected by interlocking the parts to form a hinge joint that permits the gutters to be adjusted in a substantially vertical plane to expand or contract the device to fit trees of different sizes. To this end, I provide a tongue 4: which extends longitudinally beyond the lower end of the gutter 2 and which is located at the rear side of said gutter and is substantially flush with the rear edge thereof. This tongue passes through a slot 5 leading from the rear edge of the gutter 1 and extending downwardly in divergent relation to said edge. The corner of metal 6 at the lower side of the slot is bent slightly rearwardly so as to be overlapped by the rear side of the gutter 2 and to permit the tongue to pass freely through the slot and behind the gutter 1. The tongue is preferably hooked or, more properly speaking, has the contour of a haunched dovetail, whereby to prevent the gutters from being pulled apart in the direction of their length.

In the practical use of the invention, the bark of the tree is preferably chipped away to provide a V-shaped seat 8 for the gutters. The gutters are then adjusted to fit the seat and are secured therein through the instrumentality of nails or like fastening devices 9 inserted through openings 10. There is only one opening in the rear side of each gutter as it has been found that two nails are entirely suflicient to fasten the device in place. The nails also serve the additional function of retaining the gutters in the desired angular relation. The bark is chipped away in the accustomed manner above the gutters, as indicated at 11, to permit the turpentine to exude from the tree. A peak 122'. 6., a V-shaped strip of barkis left between the chipped face 11 and the seat 8 for the purpose of directing the turpentine outwardly and preventing it from flowing behind the gutters. The spout 3 discharges the turpentine into a collecting vessel 13 which is of conventional form. At the beginning of each new season, the nails 9 may be easily withdrawn and the guttersmoved to a higher position so as to catch the virgin gum.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A turpentine gatherer including a pair of coacting gutters, one of said gutters having a tongue separably interlocked with the other gutter to provide a hinge joint between the gutters.

2. A turpentine gatherer including a pair of gutters, one of said gutters being formed. intermediate of its ends with a slot, and the other gutter having a terminal tongue adapted to be interlocked with the slot to hold the gutters in association.

3. A turpentine gatherer comprising a gutter formed at an intermediate point with a slot extending obliquely from one side edge, and a second gutter provided at one side with a terminal tongue of haunched dovetail form, the tongue being adapted to be interlocked with the slot to hold the gutters in association.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS T. BAKER.

V Witnesses:

C. J. BROWN, C. A. THORPE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

